title: Serum angiopoietin-2 and CRP levels during COPD exacerbations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) is an important mediator of angiogenesis and has been implicated in many inflammatory diseases. COPD is characterized by systemic inflammation, which is enhanced during exacerbations and may be assessed by measuring serum C-reactive protein (CRP). The aim of the study was to evaluate serum CRP and Ang-2 levels on the first (D1) and seventh day (D7) of hospitalization due to a COPD exacerbation and to examine possible associations of CRP and Ang-2 levels and kinetics with the length of hospital stay and outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective study and evaluated 90 patients admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of an acute exacerbation of COPD. A venous blood sample was obtained from all patients on D1 and D7 of hospitalization, for the measurement of Ang-2 and CRP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum Ang-2 levels were significantly higher on D1 compared to D7 during the course of COPD exacerbation (p < 0.001). Serum CRP levels were also significantly higher on D1 compared to D7 (p < 0.001). Serum Ang-2 presented a significant positive correlation with CRP levels both on D1 and D7 (r = 0.315 and r = 0.228, respectively). Patients with unfavorable outcome had significantly higher Ang-2 levels both on D1 (p = 0.04) and D7 (p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum Ang-2 levels are elevated at the onset of COPD exacerbations and are positively associated with CRP levels. Ang-2 levels decrease during the course of COPD exacerbations in patients with favorable outcome. Serum Ang-2 may serve as a biomarker that could predict the outcome of a COPD exacerbation.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Research Unit, "Sotiria" Chest Diseases Hospital , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nikolakopoulou
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hillas
authors.forename: Despina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Perrea
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tentolouris
authors.forename: Stylianos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Loukides
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kostikas
authors.forename: Davina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Simoes
authors.forename: Erasmia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Georgakopoulou
authors.forename: Evaggelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vogiatzakis
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Veldekis
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bakakos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D042702:Angiopoietin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013147:Spirometry
chemical_list: C586513:ANGPT2 protein, human; D042702:Angiopoietin-2; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein